Paul Newman as Gov. Earl K. Long

Lolita Davidovich as Blaze Starr

Jerry Hardin as Thibodeaux

Gailard Sartain as LaGrange

Jeffrey DeMunn as Eldon Tuck

Garland Bunting as Doc Ferriday

Richard Jenkins as Picayune

Brandon Smith as Arvin Deeter

Blaze Starr as Lily

Glynn Rubin as Crony Wife #2

Jay Chevalier as Wiley Braden

Robert Wuhl as Red Snyder

Michael Brockman as Bobby

Eloy Casados as Antoine

James Harper as Willie Rainach

Teresa Gilmore as Tamara Knight

Dianne Brill as Delilah Dough

Gilbert Lewis as Reverend Marquez

Gary Anthony Sturgis as Marquez's Son

Louanne Stephens as Lora Fleming

Emily Warfield as Debbie Fleming

Ben Cook as Younger Brother

John P. Fertitta as Hospital Director

Harlan Jordan as Dr. Cheeseborough

Rod Masterson as Town Talk Reporter #1

Bill Dunleavy as Town Talk Reporter #2

King Cotton as Jimmie Davis

Mike Baer as Secretary of Legislature

Bob Cherry as Earls Crony

Sid Lacey as Earls Crony

Harold G. Herthum as Earls Crony

Fred Lewis as Heckling Reporter

Al Robinson as Magnolia Local

Dick Person as General Store Owner

Brooks Read as Reporter in Store

Bill Mesman as Representative Davis

John A. Barber as Representative Hebert

Patrik Baldauff as Representative Kennon

Carey Rauhman Holliday as Representative Alexander

Robert Earle as Representative Elfin

Thomas Radcliffe Atkins as Representative Johnson

Thomas C. Smith-Alden as Asylum Spokesman

Donald J. Lee Jr. as Donut Shop Man

Pat Snow as Johnnie Mae

George Wyatt as Drunken Officer #1

Deano Thornton as Drunken Officer #2

David R. Conly as Drunken Sailor

Janet Shea as Crony Wife #1

Michael O'Neal as Motorcycle Trooper

Michael Brooks as Motorcycle Trooper

Stanley Hughes as Motorcycle Trooper

Kevin Graham as Motorcycle Trooper

Wendell Raybon as Motorcycle Trooper

Brad Leland as Dufee

Kevin Beard as Businessman in Show Bar (uncredited)